A CARTERTON TRAGEDY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2272, 5 October 1914, Page 7

A CARTERTON TRAGEDY

MAN CUTS HIS WIFE'S THROAT

AND THEN COMMITS SUICIDE

(By Telegraph.—Special. Correspondent.) Carterton, Octobor 4. Alexander Rae, a married man, aged about 38 years, with three children, attempted to murder his wifo last night, shortly before 11 o'clock, by cutting her throat with a razor. Rao then committed suicide by cutting his own throat. From the information available it appears that Rao had been very erratic in his towards his wifo for some weeks past, and, being easily affected mentally by very little liquor, some three weeks back he was prohibited. Since then he appeared to have settled down to normal, so much so that a brother who had been staying with him lor some weeks apparently • considered him all right, and' left for his home in< the South Island yesterday morning. During yesterday or last night someone procured, liquor for Rae, and as the night grew old -he became quarrelsome, and passers-by hearing the noise, called the police in. When the police arrived he quietened down, and promised them that he would go to bed. As. the police left ho locked the front door to retire, and they had not gone more than a few yards when the screams of Mrs. Rae called them back. The house was then in darkness, and after gaining entrance through, a window they discovered that Rae had attempted to cut his wife's throat with a razor. They found him sitting on a chair in another room with his throat cut. Medical aid was immediately summoned, and the wounds of Mrs. Rao were dressed, and this morning she was removed to a private hospital, very weak through loss of_ blood, but tho doctors consider 6he will recover. Rao's injuries were so severe that he expired .about an hour later. Rae called out as the police appeared on the scene a second time that "It was all right. I have done myself also," and shortly before he expired he remarked that he supposed it was all for the best. The unfortunate man has carried on business here for several years past as a machinery engineer. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rae are natives of Scotland, and beyond a brother, it is not known whether there are any othor relatives in Now Zealand.

An-inquest will open here to-morxow, but. will probably be adjourned until Mrs. Rae is well enough to attend.

Superintendent Ellison yesterday received telegraphic advico_ of the Carterton tragedy from the police constable in charge of the district.